Common Spicebush Lindera benzoin (Linnaeus) Blume  Synonyms: Lindera benzoin var. pubescens, Northern Pondspice, Spicebush, Wild Allspice.
Kingdom Plantae   >   Division Tracheophyta   >   Class Magnoliopsida   >   Order Laureles   >   Family Lauraceae   >   Genus Lindera   

Status:

One of the first plants to bloom in the early spring. A common understory shrub in wooded areas across the state.

Description:

Yellow flowers are distinctive in early spring. When the leaves are crushed they have a very aromatic smell.

Relationships:

Host plant for Spicebush Swallowtail and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Host plant for various species of moths including Promethea Moth and Spotted Apatelodes Moth.

There are 439 records in the project database.

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Common Spicebush in Kent Co., Maryland (9/5/2014). Photo by Nancy Martin. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Middlesex Co., New Jersey (10/25/2011). Photo by John Beetham. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/12/2011). Photo by Bill Harms. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush blooming in Montgomery Co., Maryland (3/28/2016). Photo by Robert Ferraro. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush blooming in Montgomery Co., Maryland (3/18/2017). Photo by Ashley Bradford. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Talbot Co., Maryland (3/21/2017). Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush blooming in Kent Co., Maryland (3/26/2016). Photo by Nancy Martin. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/13/2014). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush blooming in Washington Co., Maryland (4/16/2016). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush, new leaves, in Washington Co., Maryland (4/10/2016). Note the heavily lenticeled bark, typical of Spicebush. Photo by Bill Hill. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush blooming in Kent Co., Maryland (3/27/2016). Photo by Nancy Martin. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Talbot Co., Maryland (3/19/2016). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Talbot Co., Maryland (8/31/2016). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush growing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/15/2019). Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush growing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/1/2016). Photo by Tyler Bell. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in fruit in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/26/2018). Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/24/2012). Photo by Bill Harms. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/17/2014). Photo by Regina Kreger. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in early winter in Harford Co., Maryland (12/6/2015). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Baltimore Co., Maryland (3/11/2016). Photo by Kirsten Johnson. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Harford Co., Maryland (8/28/2016). Photo by Kirsten Johnson. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush in Montgomery Co., Maryland (4/2/2017). Photo by Robert Ferraro. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush (close-up) in Howard Co., Maryland (3/24/2017). Collected and photographed by Helen Lowe Metzman. Photo by USGS PWRC. (MBP list)

Common Spicebush (pistillate flower) in Howard Co., Maryland (3/24/2017). Collected and photographed by Helen Lowe Metzman. Photo by USGS PWRC. (MBP list)


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